Promoting Problem Solving Partnerships in Chula Vista Through Community Prosecution

The Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program (Byrne Competitive Program) will help communities improve the capacity of state and local justice systems and provide for national support efforts including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address local needs. This competitive grant announcement focuses on initiatives in eight areas: 1) preventing and reducing violent crime through community-based data-driven approaches; 2) providing funding for neighborhood-based probation and parole officers; 3) reducing mortgage fraud and crime related to vacant properties; 4) hiring of civilian support personnel in law enforcement (training staff, analysts, dispatchers, etc.); 5) enhancing forensic and crime scene investigations; 6) improving resources and services for victims of crime; 7) supporting problem-solving courts; and 8) national training and technical assistance partnerships.

Under category 7, the Chula Vista Police Department will use the Recovery Act grant funds to establish a community prosecution unit in order to improve public safety levels at the Chula Vista apartment complexes and to engage in extensive outreach with all stakeholders. This project will create one deputy city attorney position, one part-time legal assistant position, and it will establish the Neighborhood Prosecution Unit (NPU) in the City of Chula Vista.

CA/NCF